Re: uBitx Easy-Digi Strange Output ?
The 3dB bandwidth (= 50 % power) starts at between 600 and 700Hz and finishes at between 1700 and 1800 Hz.
So the BFO offset is in the normal range imo, it is just a case of a narrow xtal filter.
This has been reported before. If you are not afraid of surface mount soldering it is an easy adjustment.?
Not a major issue in my opinion.
Just makes the rx an Tx signals sound narrow. Better for DX.
73, John
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Did you adjust the contrast on the Raduino board?
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HELLO , FROM? EARL: i AM ONLY GETTING BLOCKS ON MY RADUINO AND NO SIGNALS WHEN I FIRST PUT IT TOGETHER IT WORKED FINE BUT I TRIED TO PUT IT IN? A CASE AND IT DIDN'T WORK AFTER THAT.? THE VOLUME IS OK BUT NO SIGNALS. I WORKED AROUND A TOROID, THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE SHORTED OUT BUT NO SUCCESS. IF YOU CAN HELP ME IT WOULD BE GREATLY APPREC IATED. THANK YOU, EARL
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Re: uBitx Easy-Digi Strange Output ?
thanks, i ?tested some more and here were the results - ?set pwr for 10 watts @ 1500 hrz to start and without pwr chnnge get the following as tone adjusted... what you thank ?again thanks wsjt-x Watt(s)
500 .4
600 3.4
700 6.6
800 8.6
900 9.7
1000 12
1100 12
1200 10
1300 9.6
1400 9.6
1500 10 ? ?started here with pwr adj to 10 ?watts indicated?
1600 12
1700 9.9
1800 4
1900 1
2000 .4
this was @ 7.074 mhz ?and on lower end could raise pwr to get 20 watts out but only 4 or so on the high end ?this is with the driver pot set to half range ..
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? Date:?2019-03-21?12:16 Subject:?Re: [BITX20] uBitx Easy-Digi Strange Output ? Hello Chuck,
I saw the same thing on my V3 board.
First I checked that my BFO adjustment was correct and it was with the low frequency cut at just below 500Hz.
The xtal filter was in fact too narrow and cut at about 1800Hz too like you are seeing.
That led me to change C217 to C221 from 100pF to 82pF and I now have au audio passband from 480Hz to 2400Hz.
But check your low frequency cut off first to make sure it is not a BFO adjustment issue.
73, John
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Re: uBitx Easy-Digi Strange Output ?
Hello Chuck,
I saw the same thing on my V3 board.
First I checked that my BFO adjustment was correct and it was with the low frequency cut at just below 500Hz.
The xtal filter was in fact too narrow and cut at about 1800Hz too like you are seeing.
That led me to change C217 to C221 from 100pF to 82pF and I now have au audio passband from 480Hz to 2400Hz.
But check your low frequency cut off first to make sure it is not a BFO adjustment issue.
73, John
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Le?jeu. 21 mars 2019 ¨¤?16:43, Joe Puma < kd2nfc@...> a ¨¦crit?: Oops I see my message should of been to Laurence.? But that¡¯s a nice job on the build Oliver. I see you made have the S meter LM385 circuit in there. I just installed mine yesterday, works a charm.
Joe KD2NFC? Hi Joe ! I know the shop thanks for info but I found a simple metal box for 19€ incl.shipping on ebay, I'm now waiting for the fan, a better mike and connecting the mic compressor so the uBitix V5 will be fine. Thanks to my Dremel Tools, I think my job is not too bad (see attached). The box the low right corner is a simple homebrew LW/MW converter. Best regards ! Olivier Le?mer. 20 mars 2019 ¨¤?20:56, Joe Puma < kd2nfc@...> a ¨¦crit?: Hi Oliver,
Here is a link to the case, it's currently sold out. Hopefully Sunil stocks some more, it's such a nice case. Kinda feels like you're building a Heathkit (not that I would know) minus the tubes. ?:)
On Mar 20, 2019, at 9:32 AM, Laurence Oberman < oberman.l@...> wrote:
Hi Joe,Awesome job,Which case is this one on Sunil's siteI have the older original one that was not for the Nextion so afterseeing yours going to upgrade.ThanksLaurenceOn Wed, Mar 20, 2019 at 3:28 AM Olivier Grand <olilou1961@...> wrote:
Hello Joe !
Nice job !
Can you please share the way you are wiring the mic amp board (resistors an wires).
Thanks
Olivier.
Le mer. 20 mars 2019 ¨¤ 05:26, Joe Puma <kd2nfc@...> a ¨¦crit :
Just wanted to say thank you to Sunil for helping me while assembling my new case. These cases are awesome and really add to the fun and creativity of building the uBitx. I am still waiting for the ?5¡± LCD but here are some images of my progress
Joe
KD2NFC
<uBitx on MW.JPG>
<Vue Interne.JPG>
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Oops I see my message should of been to Laurence. ?But that¡¯s a nice job on the build Oliver. I see you made have the S meter LM385 circuit in there. I just installed mine yesterday, works a charm.
Joe
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On Mar 21, 2019, at 4:40 AM, Olivier Grand < olilou1961@...> wrote: Hi Joe ! I know the shop thanks for info but I found a simple metal box for 19€ incl.shipping on ebay, I'm now waiting for the fan, a better mike and connecting the mic compressor so the uBitix V5 will be fine. Thanks to my Dremel Tools, I think my job is not too bad (see attached). The box the low right corner is a simple homebrew LW/MW converter. Best regards ! Olivier Le?mer. 20 mars 2019 ¨¤?20:56, Joe Puma < kd2nfc@...> a ¨¦crit?: Hi Oliver,
Here is a link to the case, it's currently sold out. Hopefully Sunil stocks some more, it's such a nice case. Kinda feels like you're building a Heathkit (not that I would know) minus the tubes. ?:)
On Mar 20, 2019, at 9:32 AM, Laurence Oberman < oberman.l@...> wrote:
Hi Joe,Awesome job,Which case is this one on Sunil's siteI have the older original one that was not for the Nextion so afterseeing yours going to upgrade.ThanksLaurenceOn Wed, Mar 20, 2019 at 3:28 AM Olivier Grand <olilou1961@...> wrote:
Hello Joe !
Nice job !
Can you please share the way you are wiring the mic amp board (resistors an wires).
Thanks
Olivier.
Le mer. 20 mars 2019 ¨¤ 05:26, Joe Puma <kd2nfc@...> a ¨¦crit :
Just wanted to say thank you to Sunil for helping me while assembling my new case. These cases are awesome and really add to the fun and creativity of building the uBitx. I am still waiting for the ?5¡± LCD but here are some images of my progress
Joe
KD2NFC
<uBitx on MW.JPG>
<Vue Interne.JPG>
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Jerry
We tend to agree to stay with the simple uBITX paradigm, use the PA it provides and make necessary mods to achieve compliant spurs (for wherever you are in the world).? But cool to explore the alternatives.?
I would myself want to see more data before assessing where v5 is with spurious.? Seems we have some data showing its non-compliant in different bands than v4.? I think many units might need at least a relay-related mod.?
Someone wanting a 'full' 8 or 10 watts on 28 MHz might be motivated to do a 'PA transplant' as we discussed.? 3 dB is that huge of a deal for me.? Note the alternate amplifier has some added builder complexity - actually a lot since the stock PA is pre-assembled by solder reflow, the other critter is hand-soldered (not that I mind!).?
Saturday morning is rezoning day for my modified v4 - assuming I can get some time on the spectrum analyzer at our club session.? Recap - we were each provide with Gordon's relay board and parts, and parts to install an additional 45 MHz crystal stage.? Even with 2 transformers the later did not work for me on 40m CW, so I have a 45 MHz LC filter in its place.? A few builders are installing Axicom relays instead for that class of spurious.? Interested in seeing data across the 23 uBITXs - but many builders are still at work. ?
Everyone enjoy their uBITX and/or BITX, and appreciate the world-wide community.? We are quite blessed in doing radio together.?
Curt
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uBitx Easy-Digi Strange Output ?
uBitx Ver. 4 board
Easy-Digi
Noticed this and repeated several times to be sure....
Using WSJT-X? I noticed the need to adjust the power (Pwr) slider when changing to a clear spot on the waterfall. I then tried this little experiment, click the 1200 tone spot and did a tune to adjust the pwr level for 10 watts out indicate on the MFJ-929, the click on the 1800 tone spot and repeated, this time showing 4.2 watts. Tried several times and these readings stayed consistent.? Should this happen and if NOT does any one have help, advice, or direction to check.
This is how might rig is setup for digital if this might be part of a problem or not..
Internal in an aluminum case with the radio but supposedly shielded is a small five port usb? hub, with the ardunio , sound dongle and the easydigi boards pluged in requiring only one usb connection to the radio .?
?
Any and all help, support or suggestions welcomed and thank to all on this wonderful group!
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Thanks Jerry I am sure I may be back with some questions once I get to testing all of this. I decided instead of bending old sheet metal, I would 3Dprint plastic covers for the RF sections (two covers) and cover inside and out by gluing aluminum foil for the shield. The QSX Amp has a large heat sink which of course be exposed. Looking forward to this build now. On Thu, Mar 21, 2019 at 10:07 AM Jerry Gaffke via Groups.Io <jgaffke@...> wrote:
It's easy enough to disable everything beyond c84 on any uBitx, be it v3, v4, or v5,
you're wasting about $3 worth of parts.
Could reuse the IRF510's and LPF's and relays and cores and 78L05 if you wish,
the remaining parts are worth pennies.
From C84, you will need another gain stage to drive a QSX Amp.
Perhaps the pre-driver at Q911, Q912 could be salvaged using different transistors,
driving the QSX amp from the ~200 ohms at the collectors..
With that plus replacing the 3904's at Q90 and the 45mhz IF stage,
you might get roughly 10W out on all bands.
HFSignals produces a board that lacks many features and has its warts,
but it works. It's not meant to be an appliance, but rather as a base from
which amateurs so inclined can reach in and make their own adjustments.
And in this it's a wild success.
Jerry, KE7ER
On Wed, Mar 20, 2019 at 04:57 PM, ken fest wrote:
I am beginning to think that a possible version six might be a board that stopped at C84 and left the rest of transmitter for the builder to
decide what is best for him/her on a separate board.
I imagine building a a shielded box with a band pass and transmitter inside connected by quality small coax to c84.
Maybe this would resolve the major issues?
I know very little but have followed these discussions and feel the ubitx V5 is very close to what most of us need, with only
shielding and separation lacking.
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It's easy enough to disable everything beyond c84 on any uBitx, be it? v3, v4, or v5,
you're wasting about $3 worth of parts.
Could reuse the IRF510's and LPF's and relays and cores and 78L05 if you wish,
the remaining parts are worth pennies.
From C84, you will need another gain stage to drive a QSX Amp.
Perhaps the pre-driver at Q911, Q912 could be salvaged using different transistors,
driving the QSX amp from the ~200 ohms at the collectors..
With that plus replacing the 3904's? at Q90 and the 45mhz IF stage,
you might get roughly 10W out on all bands.
HFSignals produces a board that lacks many features and has its warts,
but it works.? It's not meant to be an appliance, but rather as a base from
which amateurs so inclined can reach in and make their own adjustments.
And in this it's a wild success.
Jerry, KE7ER
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On Wed, Mar 20, 2019 at 04:57 PM, ken fest wrote:
I am beginning to think that a possible version six might be a board that stopped at C84 and left the rest of transmitter for the builder to
decide what is best for him/her on a separate board.
I imagine building a a shielded box with a band pass and transmitter inside connected by quality small coax to c84.
Maybe this would resolve the major issues?
I know very little but have followed these discussions and feel the ubitx V5 is very close to what most of us need, with only
shielding and separation lacking.
|
Hi Joe ! I know the shop thanks for info but I found a simple metal box for 19€ incl.shipping on ebay, I'm now waiting for the fan, a better mike and connecting the mic compressor so the uBitix V5 will be fine. Thanks to my Dremel Tools, I think my job is not too bad (see attached). The box the low right corner is a simple homebrew LW/MW converter. Best regards ! Olivier
Le?mer. 20 mars 2019 ¨¤?20:56, Joe Puma < kd2nfc@...> a ¨¦crit?: Hi Oliver,
Here is a link to the case, it's currently sold out. Hopefully Sunil stocks some more, it's such a nice case. Kinda feels like you're building a Heathkit (not that I would know) minus the tubes. ?:)
On Mar 20, 2019, at 9:32 AM, Laurence Oberman < oberman.l@...> wrote:
Hi Joe,Awesome job,Which case is this one on Sunil's siteI have the older original one that was not for the Nextion so afterseeing yours going to upgrade.ThanksLaurenceOn Wed, Mar 20, 2019 at 3:28 AM Olivier Grand <olilou1961@...> wrote:
Hello Joe !
Nice job !
Can you please share the way you are wiring the mic amp board (resistors an wires).
Thanks
Olivier.
Le mer. 20 mars 2019 ¨¤ 05:26, Joe Puma <kd2nfc@...> a ¨¦crit :
Just wanted to say thank you to Sunil for helping me while assembling my new case. These cases are awesome and really add to the fun and creativity of building the uBitx. I am still waiting for the ?5¡± LCD but here are some images of my progress
Joe
KD2NFC
|
I fully agree. An exciter with those milliamps necessary to drive either external small PA or V-U transverters!
Il 21/mar/2019 00:57, "ken fest via Groups.Io" <disklog= [email protected]> ha scritto: I am beginning to think that a possible version six might be a board that stopped at C84 and left the rest of transmitter for the builder to
decide what is best for him/her on a separate board.
I imagine building a a shielded box with a band pass and transmitter inside connected by quality small coax to c84.
Maybe this would resolve the major issues?
I know very little but have followed these discussions and feel the ubitx V5 is very close to what most of us need, with only
shielding and separation lacking.
--------------------------------------------
On Wed, 3/20/19, ajparent1/KB1GMX <kb1gmx@...> wrote:
?Subject: Re: [BITX20] QRP kit amplifiers
?To: [email protected]
?Date: Wednesday, March 20, 2019, 2:19 PM
?Laurence,
?It why I gave up last
?year with it.? For the time and effort I had invested it
?could (and did) build
?something clean from
?the ground up.
?V5 fixes a
?few issues but some cases yes, some no, most at least
?somewhat better.
?The power
?amp issues are as they were last year and no improvements
?applied.
?Everything any one would ant to
?know about that is in the wiki.
?Everyone wants a single pill fix.? There are
?three areas that need to be fixes, band pass
?into the TX, the whole TX and output switching
?was a bandaid to keep the board the
?same
?size and form factor.? IT goes to prove that compared to a
?monoband radio?
?multiband has a far greater
?set of challenges and shortcuts will extract pain.
?Allison
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Re: My uBitx Easy-Digi interface for under $20
Thanks Jerry. I just stumbled on this while building the interface and my first guess was to flip the signaling ?to show low on power up of the usb device to the octo-coupler of the easydigi. Seems to be doing the job for me, its been fun working out these basic challenges. ? My bigger issues now are trying to stop the 100 watt radio from shutting down the audio dongle from RF at 14mhz and higher. Ferrites on the wires help. ? Joe Kd2nfc ? Sent from for Windows 10 ?
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From: Jerry Gaffke via Groups.IoSent: Wednesday, March 20, 2019 5:55 PM To: [email protected]Subject: Re: [BITX20] My uBitx Easy-Digi interface for under $20 ? All the signals coming out of a 9pin RS232 port on an old PC will flip between
approximately -12v on mark, +12v on space, driven by inverting RS232 level buffers:
? ??https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAX232
Your USB-to-5v-UART cable wont have those inverting RS232 buffers, and
and may or may not power up into the same state as an old 16550 UART chip.
If the USB-to-5v-UART cable consistently powers up into the wrong state, perhaps you can
tell the software on the host to use the opposite polarity of RTS to key the rig.
Jerry, KE7ER
On Wed, Mar 20, 2019 at 01:20 PM, Joe Puma wrote: I can¡¯t confirm what you heard but there is also another problem. When the usb serial is initialized on the computer it causes the RTS to go high. The mic will key, it has on mine, the opto-coupler powered up no problem. ?It does not stay low like a USB to Serial or a regular serial port until you use program that needs the serial port and then the RTS will go low. that¡¯s gonna be a problem. I use a transistor to flip the signal and pass 5v from the USB to power the octo-coupler . Both problems solved I guess.?
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Re: My measurements for L5/L7 & Relay Mods
That could a date code or batch number.
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At 20-03-19, you wrote: Looking closely at the photo, I see the inductors are marked
T
R68K
1144
while the ones I have "look" the same and appear to have the same manufacurer's logo, but are marked
T
R68K
1145
Any idea what the difference is between 1144 and 1145?
=Vic=
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Re: My uBitx Easy-Digi interface for under $20
Hi Joe,
Thank you.
73, Dennis
W7DRW
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I am beginning to think that a possible version six might be a board that stopped at C84 and left the rest of transmitter for the builder to
decide what is best for him/her on a separate board.
I imagine building a a shielded box with a band pass and transmitter inside connected by quality small coax to c84.
Maybe this would resolve the major issues?
I know very little but have followed these discussions and feel the ubitx V5 is very close to what most of us need, with only
shielding and separation lacking.
--------------------------------------------
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Wed, 3/20/19, ajparent1/KB1GMX <kb1gmx@...> wrote: Subject: Re: [BITX20] QRP kit amplifiers To: [email protected] Date: Wednesday, March 20, 2019, 2:19 PM Laurence, It why I gave up last year with it.? For the time and effort I had invested it could (and did) build something clean from the ground up. V5 fixes a few issues but some cases yes, some no, most at least somewhat better. The power amp issues are as they were last year and no improvements applied. Everything any one would ant to know about that is in the wiki. Everyone wants a single pill fix.? There are three areas that need to be fixes, band pass into the TX, the whole TX and output switching was a bandaid to keep the board the same size and form factor.? IT goes to prove that compared to a monoband radio? multiband has a far greater set of challenges and shortcuts will extract pain. Allison
|
Re: My uBitx Easy-Digi interface for under $20
All the signals coming out of a 9pin RS232 port on an old PC will flip between
approximately -12v on mark, +12v on space, driven by inverting RS232 level buffers:
? ??https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAX232
Your USB-to-5v-UART cable wont have those inverting RS232 buffers, and
and may or may not power up into the same state as an old 16550 UART chip.
If the USB-to-5v-UART cable consistently powers up into the wrong state, perhaps you can
tell the software on the host to use the opposite polarity of RTS to key the rig.
Jerry, KE7ER
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Wed, Mar 20, 2019 at 01:20 PM, Joe Puma wrote:
I can¡¯t confirm what you heard but there is also another problem. When the usb serial is initialized on the computer it causes the RTS to go high. The mic will key, it has on mine, the opto-coupler powered up no problem. ?It does not stay low like a USB to Serial or a regular serial port until you use program that needs the serial port and then the RTS will go low. that¡¯s gonna be a problem. I use a transistor to flip the signal and pass 5v from the USB to power the octo-coupler . Both problems solved I guess.?
?
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OK, I started looking at what I need to yank out of the V4 board power finals , mosfets etc to connect t the off board 10W amp. (I am happy to sacrifice it). I am going to start however with first removing, then doing a full SSB and CW capture of the spurs and harmonics. I am also working on a copper enclosure to separate RF from digital. I have capabilities for bending to make the shields and some old sheet metal lying around. My intention is enclose the main board in a shield, keep the 10W amp a ways away, at least about an inch, shield that too in its own enclosure. Ground them all to common ground and wont have the heatsinks anymore with rf voltage anyway. Only the Digital stuff will be exposed. Probably going to use a Arduino mega and add a second screen so wont have the Raduino. Worth a try, as the V5 is working fine and that one is destined for the Jack-Al board anyway. On Wed, Mar 20, 2019 at 5:36 PM Jerry Gaffke via Groups.Io <jgaffke@...> wrote:
Yes, got I got a QSX amp together and working.
Tested it with a square wave from an si5351,
but haven't done anything vaguely useful with it yet.
Right now, trying to finish up a straw bale house.
Liz wants the sunporch sealed up so she can start some tomatoes.
Even though it's 62 degrees today, still a foot of snow in the fields.
Jerry
On Wed, Mar 20, 2019 at 12:47 PM, ajparent1/KB1GMX wrote:
Build one yet?
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Yes, got I got a QSX amp together and working.
Tested it with a square wave from an si5351,
but haven't done anything vaguely useful with it yet.
Right now, trying to finish up a straw bale house.
Liz wants the sunporch sealed up so she can start some tomatoes.
Even though it's 62 degrees today, still a foot of snow in the fields.
Jerry
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On Wed, Mar 20, 2019 at 12:47 PM, ajparent1/KB1GMX wrote:
Build one yet?
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Olivier Grand
Raj vu2zap